WASHINGTON - June 18 - As we hit Day 60 of the Gulf Disaster, citizens across the country launched an effort called Gumbo for the Gulf  - hosting over 150 houseparty fundraisers (to date) to benefit Environment America’s effort to address BP’s oil spill and prevent future ones. 

Renowned New Orleans chefs Susan Spicer and John Besh spiced up the effort by lending gumbo recipes.  Chef and author Anthony Bourdain will soon record a video to promote the effort.

WHEN:  Starting the week of June 14th, 2010.   

WHERE:  See attached map -  More than 150 locations in 28 states including: New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C., Boston and New York City.  Media interested in attending local events should contact Environment America for more details. 

WHO:  Concerned citizens gathering to lend support to Environment America.  Environment America is a federation of state-based, citizen-funded environmental advocacy organizations.

WHY:   The Gulf oil spill is the biggest environmental disaster in U.S. history.  Gumbo for the Gulf presents an opportunity for citizens across the country to show their solidarity with the people of the Gulf region, raise awareness about the disaster, and raise funds to help Gulf families and to support Environment America.  Environment America is working to permanently protect our shores from new oil drilling.  See the Gumbo for the Gulf logo at  www.environmentamerica.org for more information.

EXCELLENT VISUALS:  houseparty organizers and attendees cooking, eating gumbo and signing petitions; viewing of Gulf disaster video by actress Amy Smart; kids coloring pictures of Louisiana’s state bird the Brown Pelican.  Hosts will upload pictures of their events to http://www.flickr.com/groups/gumboforthegulf